Meet Joy and Chris and experience their touching journey of love and resilience in the face of dementia. From the moment of Chris’s diagnosis, he embraced living fully in the present, while Joy balanced her grief with the challenge of meeting him there. Hear their inspiring story as they find new ways to create and cherish meaningful moments together.

Credits: Dementia Nation is funded by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons Grant for Seniors and is produced by Kristin Bartlett and Kristine White, edited by Matthew Pencer and developed by the Alzheimer Society of Toronto. The music is produced by Matthew Pencer and Robin Dann, and musical guest Rick Levine. DementiaNation is hosted by Kristin Bartlett and Tracey Adams Thibaudeau, Active Living Program Coordinators for the Alzheimer Society of Toronto. A Special thanks to Joy Kirchner and Chris Ruck for sharing their story.

Photo: Joy & Chris’ Wedding

Time and time again, we've heard incredible stories of neighbors, local businesses, and even total strangers stepping up in unexpected ways to support people living with dementia. These small yet powerful acts of kindness are what keep our dementia community thriving—helping individuals and their care partners live fuller, more connected lives.

In this episode, we’re sharing heartfelt stories that showcase the beauty of community and the profound impact of human connection. Because sometimes, it’s the people you least expect who make a huge difference.

Credits: DementiaNation is funded by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons Grant for Seniors and is produced by Kristin Bartlett and Kristine White, edited by Matthew Pencer and developed by the Alzheimer Society of Toronto. The music is produced by Matthew Pencer and Robin Dann, and musical guest Rick Levine. DementiaNation is hosted by Kristin Bartlett and Tracey Adams Thibaudeau, Active Living Program Coordinators for the Alzheimer Society of Toronto. Special thanks to Kathy Lee Morren, Tracy Lee Fawcett, Michelle Lee, Sue Lee, Chris Ruck and Joy Kirchner, Eriko Miyazawa and Larry Webb and Kim Babcock.

We also want to shout out to Bellona's Restaurant and The Jason George Pub mentioned in this podcast, thank you for being a part of our community!

https://thejasongeorge.ca/ https://bellonakitchen.ca/bellona-cantina/

AST’s Dementia Friendly Community:

A Dementia Friendly Community is a place where individuals living with dementia and their care partners and families feel welcomed, included, and supported. With over 51,000 people living with dementia in Toronto, they are your customers, clients, and neighbors who may face challenges accessing goods or services. The Alzheimer Society of Toronto offers Dementia Friendly Communities (DFC) training to help organizations and groups create safe, accessible, and inclusive environments. The training covers recognizing signs of dementia, creating inclusive spaces, and effective communication strategies to empower and support those living with dementia. This training is available at no cost to you or your organization. You can find more information on www.alz.to under the Learn tab

Photo by: Sarah Faulkner, Riverside Photographers

What if laughter and play could help you navigate some of the toughest moments of caregiving? In this episode, we sit down with Gavin Crawford — actor, comedian, CBC radio personality, and creator of the podcast Let’s Not Be Kidding—as he shares how improv and games brought joy, connection, and lightness to his family’s journey with dementia. Plus, we chat with Kim Babcock, who discovered the power of dance and music to create meaningful moments with her mom, Ruth.

Listen in for heartwarming stories, some helpful tips, and a reminder that even in difficult times, there’s always room for laughter, creativity, play and creating moments of joy.

Credits:

Dementia Nation is funded by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons Grant for Seniors and is produced by Kristin Bartlett and Kristine White, edited by Matthew Pencer and developed by the Alzheimer Society of Toronto. The music is produced by Matthew Pencer, Robin Dann, Lindsay Owen Pierre amd musical guest Rick Levine. DementiaNation is hosted by Kristin Bartlett and Tracey Adams Thibaudeau, Active Living Program Coordinators for the Alzheimer Society of Toronto. A Special thanks to Gavin Crawford for sharing stories of his family's journey with dementia and Kim Babcock for sharing your story with us, we love you Ruth may you rest in peace.

Gavin Crawford - Let’s Not Be Kidding CBC Podcast https://www.cbc.ca/listen/cbc-podcasts/1387-let-s-not-be-kidding-with-gavin-crawford

Photo of Kim Babcock